Social networks like
Facebook and Twitter are fabulous platforms for sharing information and
news. Retailers of all stripes have tapped into this and are using them to get the word out – virally – about discounts, sales and
in-store events. Unfortunately, mechanisms for vetting online reputation
haven’t quite kept up with the marketplace, which can make social networks an ideal platform for
social engineering attacks. Facebook wall posts and tweets from an account that appears
to be associated with a vendor are no more trustworthy than links in an
unsolicited e-mail, and shouldn’t be given any more deference. Security firm
Trustwave advises users to treat such solicitations with suspicion, and we think that’s good advice. If your
curiosity must be quenched: visit the retailer’s Web site yourself — type in
the Web address manually, rather than clicking on the link and risking exposure via a
drive by download attack.
6) (Anti) social networking
Social networks like
Facebook and Twitter are fabulous platforms for sharing information and
news. Retailers of all stripes have tapped into this and are using them to get the word out – virally – about discounts, sales and
in-store events. Unfortunately, mechanisms for vetting online reputation
haven’t quite kept up with the marketplace, which can make social networks an ideal platform for
social engineering attacks.
